Nested Collar Vane Adjustment Mechanism for Gas Turbine Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines require precise adjustment of vane assemblies to maintain optimal airflow and performance across varying power settings, but existing technologies lack the precision and flexibility to achieve this effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vane adjustment assembly featuring an annular ring and ring adjustment assembly with a base plate, cylindrical collars, and a roller pin, allowing for multiple rotational positions and precise positioning of the annular ring relative to the engine casing through a cam plate mechanism, enabling fine-tuning of vane positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable vanes are utilized to provide stall or surge margin at different power settings, then engine performance and stability are improved, but the complexity of the vane adjustment mechanism increases and precision positioning becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism employs nested collars where a first collar is positioned within a second collar, both rotatable relative to the annular ring. This nested arrangement allows multiple adjustment degrees of freedom within a compact structure, enabling precise multi-dimensional positioning of the vanes without proportionally increasing overall mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the annular ring holding vanes, the first collar for primary adjustment, the second collar for secondary adjustment, and the roller pin for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall control of the complex adjustment system
2Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning of vanes is achieved to accurately direct airflow, then engine efficiency is improved, but the complexity and difficulty of the adjustment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested collar arrangement provides multiple rotational degrees of freedom, allowing fine-tuned positioning of the annular ring and attached vanes. The first collar can rotate independently within the second collar, enabling precise angular adjustment without requiring an overly complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The roller pin acts as an intermediary element that translates the rotational positions of the nested collars into precise positioning of the annular ring. This mediator component simplifies the control of precise positioning by providing a clear mechanical relationship between collar rotation and vane angle
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment parameters are incorporated to fine-tune vane positions, then adaptability across power settings is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested collar structure inherently provides multiple adjustment parameters through independent rotation of each collar. This allows the mechanism to adapt to different power settings and operating conditions without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The annular ring serves multiple functions: it holds the vanes, provides a mounting surface for the adjustment collars, and acts as the element that is positioned by the adjustment mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A vane adjustment assembly includes a plurality of vanes, an annular ring coupled to the vanes, and a ring adjustment assembly. The ring adjustment assembly includes a base plate coupled to the ring and having a recess, a first collar removably arranged within the recess and having a cavity formed therein, a second collar removably arranged within the cavity, and a roller pin fixedly coupled to the second collar. The cavity is offset relative to the first collar and roller pin is offset relative to the second collar. The first collar can be selectively arranged at rotational positions within the recess and the second collar can be selectively arranged at rotational positions within the cavity such that the roller pin can be positioned at distinct positions each corresponding to a rotational position of the first collar and a rotational position of the second collar.